Manager, Recruiting

Job Description
X-energy is looking for experienced professionals to interview for our Manager, Recruiting (Production, Construction, Testing) position. This is an exciting opportunity to help build the skilled trade workforce that will produce the TRISO fuel for the Xe-100 Small Modular Reactor and other nuclear reactor designs.

The Manager, Recruiting (PCT) leads recruiting for the company's non-exempt skilled trades and front-line manufacturing and testing workforce, along with related roles. This position combines strategic talent acquisition leadership with hands-on execution, including direct oversight of recruiting teams, staffing agency partnerships, and scalable hiring strategies that support high-volume hourly recruiting and enable the organization to meet production, project, and operational objectives. Serving as a strategic partner to operations, manufacturing, and engineering leadership, this individual develops proactive recruiting strategies and talent pipelines to attract, hire, and onboard highly qualified front-line talent. This position requires expertise in HR systems, workforce forecasting, and the unique staffing challenges associated with advanced manufacturing, construction, testing, and nuclear environments.

Job Profile Tasks/Responsibilities:

Team Leadership & Operations Management

• Supervise, mentor, and develop a team of recruiters and staffing coordinators who support professional, technical, and hourly hiring pipelines.
• Provide day-to-day operational leadership to ensure positive candidate experience across all recruiting touchpoints.
• Foster a culture of accountability, urgency, and continuous improvement within the recruiting function.

Strategic Workforce Planning & Forecasting

• Partner with operations, manufacturing, engineering, and project leadership to forecast labor demand and develop scalable staffing strategies to support production ramp-ups, construction schedules, and operational milestones.
• Analyze hiring trends, turnover data, and Labor Scorecard metrics to proactively address talent pipeline gaps.

High-Volume Hourly & Manufacturing Staffing

• Design and execute recruiting strategies for high-volume hourly hiring across manufacturing, production, warehouse, quality, maintenance, safety, and construction roles
• Manage relationships with approved staffing agencies, including requisition distribution, candidate submittal review, markup/referral cost tracking, and compliance oversight.
• Maintain onsite operational presence as needed to support shift-based hiring, production floor engagement, and real-time staffing adjustments.

Professional & Technical Recruiting

• Lead full-cycle high-volume recruiting for non-exempt roles across manufacturing, construction, testing, and other nuclear roles.
• Develop and implement sourcing strategies leveraging job boards, social media, professional networks, trade schools, unions, and workforce development organizations
• Build partnerships with technical colleges, trade schools, apprenticeship programs, and nuclear/engineering academic institutions to cultivate skilled trades and technical talent pipelines

Applicant Tracking System (ATS) & Process Ownership

• Work with the Workday team to support changes and updates to HRIS configuration, optimization, and ongoing maintenance to support recruiting workflows
• Design, document, and continuously improve recruiting processes that relate to skilled trades recruiting, including application workflows, interview protocols, onboarding handoffs, and compliance tracking.
• Maintain recruiting data integrity and generate Open Positions Reports and hiring metrics dashboards

Metrics and Reporting

• Prepare and deliver weekly/monthly recruiting metrics, including time-to-fill, aging requisitions, hiring volume, offer acceptance rates, source effectiveness, and Labor Scorecard KPIs.
• Analyze recruiting performance data to identify bottlenecks, develop solutions, and drive continuous improvement.
• Track and report staffing agency costs, contractor conversion rates, and cost-per-hire metrics.

Hiring Manager Partnership & Training

• Train and guide hiring managers on interview best practices, behavioral interviewing, candidate evaluation, compliance, and decision-making.
• Facilitate intake meetings to clarify role requirements, hiring timelines, and candidate profiles.
• Serve as strategic advisor and consultant to hiring managers, providing market intelligence, compensation guidance, and talent availability insights.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure all recruiting activities comply with federal, state, and local labor laws, EEO regulations, OFCCP requirements, and X-energy policies. Support audit and compliance reporting as needed.
• Maintain confidentiality and discretion in handling sensitive candidate and employee information.
• Build and maintain relationships with external stakeholders, including career centers, workforce development boards, union representatives, program administrators, and community organizations.
• Partner with marketing and communications teams to strengthen X-energy's reputation as an employer of choice in the nuclear and advanced manufacturing sectors.

Job Profile Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology, or related field

Experience:

• 10+ years of progressive recruiting experience, including at least 3 years in a leadership or management capacity. Experience recruiting for nuclear operations roles (reactor operators, instrumentation & control technicians, radiation protection specialists, nuclear maintenance crafts) is preferred.
• Proven experience in manufacturing, industrial, or high-volume production environments.
• Skilled trades recruiting experience, including partnerships with trade schools, unions, apprenticeship programs, and technical training organizations
• Demonstrated expertise in full-cycle recruiting for both professional/salaried roles and hourly/frontline positions.
• Experience managing staffing agency relationships, temp-to-hire processes, and contractor pipelines.

Technical Skills:

• Advanced ATS experience (Workday is preferred)
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word)
• Experience with online recruiting tools such as Indeed, Handshake, LinkedIn Recruiter, and other advanced sourcing platforms
• Strong recruiting analytics competency including workforce planning strategies and ROI analysis

Core Competencies:

• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Diplomatic communication, negotiation, and influencing skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple requisitions and competing priorities in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments.
• Strong organizational, project management, and time management skills.
• Demonstrated capability to build and mentor high-performing recruiting teams.
• Client service mindset with strong stakeholder management skills (hiring managers, executives, external partners).
• Ability to work onsite daily, with flexibility for shift work, ad hoc schedule adjustments, and occasional production floor or warehouse presence.
• Willingness to travel to multiple sites as needed.

Location: 150 Lafayette Dr., Oak Ridge TN 37830
Work Site Expectations: 5 days onsite

Travel Expectations: up to25% or as needed

Hours: standard office schedule is 8:00am-5:00pm ET, Mon-Fri

Compensation

As required by Maryland and other applicable state law, X Energy, LLC (X-energy) lists the expected compensation range for a publicly advertised job opportunity based upon the job requirements (e.g. education/training, experience, skill sets, etc.). Individual candidates who meet the job requirements for the posted position will be offered a salary within this range based on their respective levels of education/training, experience, and other qualifications unique to them. Salary ranges may vary based on the specific office location and region referenced in the posting to take into consideration differences in cost of living and may not be reflective of all regions. Please note that compensation ranges listed for US job postings reflect base salary only and do not include benefits or other incentives.

Offers within the posted salary range are commensurate with the individual's qualifications for the position, along with a view on internal equity, market data, and room for growth. The salary range for this position is:
$135,000- $160,000

Position Job Classification
Full time - Exempt

Benefits

X Energy, LLC offers a robust benefits package that includes a 401K plan with an employer match, Medical/Dental /Vision Insurance, Life and Disability Insurance, Paid Time Off, and a Tuition Reimbursement/Professional Development policy that supports the continuing education of our employees.